Modelling the growth potential of the kelp Saccharina latissima in the North Atlantic
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Publication Date
2022-01-31Journal Title
Frontiers in Marine Science
ISSN
2296-7745
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Type
Article
This Version
AM
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Show full item recordCitation
Strong-Wright, J., & Taylor, J. (2022). Modelling the growth potential of the kelp Saccharina latissima in the North Atlantic. Frontiers in Marine Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.793977
Abstract
It has recently been proposed that macroalgae (e.g.\ kelp) could be grown in the open ocean as a CO$_2$ removal strategy. Most macroalgae naturally grow in shallow coastal waters, and their ability to grow in open ocean conditions is largely untested. Here we quantify macroalgae growth potential in the North Atlantic using an established model of \emph{Saccharina latissima} forced by an ocean state estimate. In the relatively clear open ocean waters, we find that growth is possible to depths of up to 50m across most of the region, with the maximum depth-integrated growth potential between 40$^\circ$N and 50$^\circ$N. The model exhibits a large carbon to nitrogen ratio at the southern end of the growth range. The ratio of kelp carbon to phytoplankton biomass is also relatively high in the southeastern portion of the growth range. Using a sensitivity analysis, we find that the position of the southern limit of the growth range is largely modulated by temperature tolerance on the western side of the basin in the Gulf Stream and low nitrate on the eastern side of the basin. We also find a statistically significant reduction in the kelp growth potential over the period from 2002-2019, reflecting the warming of the surface ocean over this period.
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.793977
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/332777
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